Abstract.
We consider a model for dusty gas flow that consists of the
compressible Euler equations for the gas coupled to a similar (but
pressureless) system of equations for the mass, momentum, and energy of
the dust. These sets of equations are coupled via drag terms
and heat transfer. A high-resolution wave-propagation algorithm is used
to solve the equations numerically. The one-dimensional algorithm is
shown to give agreement with a shock tube test problem in the literature.
The two-dimensional algorithm has been applied to model expolsive volcanic
eruptions in which an axisymmetric jet of hot dusty gas is injected into
the atmosphere and the expected behavior is observed at two different
vent velocities. The methodology described here, with extensions to
three dimensions and adaptive mesh refinement, is being used for more
detailed studies of volcanic jet processes.